A feature of some Fourth of July celebrations in at least the Northeast of the United States beginning in 1851, if not earlier, was a humorous or satirical component often called a parade of Ancients and Horribles, or Antiques and Horribles. Examples of broadsides advertising such parades:• "D. Mirick & Co., Printer to the Hardscrabble Yeomanry, No. 6 Merchants’ Row, Main Street, Greenfield, Mass., Sparks of Patriotism!! HARDSCRABBLE YEOMANRY. GREENFIELD, JULY 4th, ANNO DOMINI 1860. Greenfield, June 23, 1860." Boston Rare Maps. https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/hardscrabble-yeomanry-greenfield-massachusetts/• "A mammoth, surpassingly odd, and excessively rare 'Horribles Parade' broadside [1862]." Boston Rare Maps. https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/a-mammoth-surpassingly-odd-and-excessively-rare-horribles-parade-broadside/• "When Pot Cheese Mine Flourished; And The Egg Mill Was in Operation Old Hurley Celebrated The Fourth of July in Spirited Manner; Mr. Wynkoop Unearths Curious Old Poster [ca. 1860s]." Kingston Daily Freeman. September 28, 1921: 7 cols 3-4. (Fulton History). 2016 photo of a broadside fitting the description: https://www.facebook.com/StoneHouseDay/photos/a.657414481081381.1073741837.170984636391037/657415124414650/?type=3&theater• "'Attention Universe!' Newton, Massachusetts’ 1876 'Horribles Parade." Boston Rare Maps. https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/attention-universe%C2%85-newton-massachusetts-1876-horribles-parade/• "Stowell's Steam Printing House, 1776. 1876. 100dth Paigh-Wrade Of the Disorderly Order of PHIL-BUSTERS! In ye Village of Troy on the 4th day of the 7th month of the year '76., Cannon Place, Troy, [New York], 1876." Boston Rare Maps. https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/the-disorderly-order-of-phil-busters/

In Troy, which began having such parades at least as early as 1856, they were typically called Philbuster, Phill-buster, Philibuster, or Filibuster parades. That name seems to have been used at a minimum throughout Albany and Rensselaer counties. Burghers were involved in Philbuster parades in Troy early on, but they might not have been held in the Village of Lansingburgh until 1876... maybe. It can be hard to tell when even the description of such an event might be entirely satirical! Possibly the first in Lansingburgh was not until 1885.The parades continued in Lansingburgh off and on until a last hurrah in 1900 prior to the annexation to the City of Troy taking effect in 1901. They continued to be held in other places in Rensselaer County for a few decades longer, seemingly with the satirical aspect greatly toned down or reduced in size.They're still held in some places, and still periodically plagued by a problem arguably inherent, though not always present, from the beginning. Humor and satire can be creative and transgressive ("benign violations"); at their worst, they may devolve into clichéd, unthinking or mean-spirited expressions of racism or misogyny, or overly and unnecessarily personal attacks. Philbuster parades in Troy and Lansingburgh had, at times, elements borrowed from minstrelsy.
THE EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARYOFAmerican Independence
Will be celebrated by the disorderly Order of "PHILL-BUSTERS," July 4th, 1856, under the command of Grand Marshal RIP VAN DAM SMITH.They will form at the Court House, the right of line resting on Congress street, and proceed thence according to the bent of their inclination.For further particulars see "Nebraska Bill, or Bill of Phare."The several Bells of the city will be muffled during the marching of the procession, andThe Marshall peremptorily insists that all Milk, Swill and Charcoal Wagons, as also Mad Dogs and Hooped Skirts shall retain the sidewalks while the procession is moving.P. S. and N. B. The Oh-Rations will be served outFree from the Elm Tree,On the Square Liberty,In front of the Mansion House.N. B. and P. S. The Ladies are also particularly requested not to insult the procession by throwing Bo-Kays.Troy Daily Times. July 3, 1856: 3 col 4.
TO THE RESCUE!—1776 TO 1876!—LANSINGBURGH TO THE FORE—JULY 4th, 1876.—ORDER OF THE DAY.[Not Official.]—
The noble action of the village fathers in providing so bountifully for a rousing celebration on the Fourth is everywhere commended. Ever since Monday night little (?) knots of men might have been seen standing on every corner, and in every barber shop in town discussing the stirring question of each one's duty in the matter. The town is ablaze with enthusiasm, and the demonstration will be the grandest ever witnessed in this usually quiet, serene, enterprising (?) little 'burgh. The following (mind you!) is the programme (not official) from 12 o'clock, midnight, until the show is over, we don't care if it's a thousand years:
ORDER OF THE DAY.
Twelve M., midnight.—The oldest inhabitant—turns over in his bed; boys who have no sympathy with the prevailing sentiment will bang off the occasional cannon. All will then be quiet.
SUNRISE.
At sunrise, as old Sol squints his eye along the eastern horizon, 'burgh inhabitant will awake and wonder if the day is Sunday, or what? First car goes down. Then next car. First car up. Inhabitant will fire off a bottle of pop. At 6:30 A.M., New York Clothing Store, G. Make Ally, proprietor, will open.After breakfast procession will form Right resting up against the fence, corner Richard and Market streets; what's Left extending to Adamsville, somewhere in the neighborhood of Derrick's store. Procession will put themselves together in the following order:
FIRST DIVISION.Flat-tune of Bolice.Grand Marshal—General Debility.Aids—Old Cain and Al K. Hall.Decline's Band,(many pieces).Independent Fire Department, with reversed hose, in token of submission, A. P. E., demandingA Wagon Full of Drive Wells.SECOND DIVISION.Rum Corps.Bummer Guards,Maj. Fiilemup, commanding.[We can assure our readers that theGuards are united, to a man, and willturn out (smelling) strong—perhapsa little shakey toward night_in fullregalia, red noses, pigeon eyes, etc.]Mutual Aid Association, of Brunswick,members armed with pump handles.THIRD DIVISION.Band—of Gypsies.Village Government(in a horn), mounted—or not, just as you prefer.[B. Brown, Esq., being un—der theinfluence of the bottle, the ninth aldermanwill fill the vacancy with abig feather duster.]Members of the (cider) Press, in a barrel.Oar-eater—one of the boat club.Reader—Little bald-headed man, witha cockneyed speech.Oration will be delivered from thebalcony of the Eccles' House.LINE OF MARCH,
From the Phoenix Hotel to Wilson House, to Schlesler's, to Zahn's, to Vogelsgesang's, to Thistle House, to Fourth Ward House, to Becker's, up the back streets to Peartree's and by a circitous [sic] route to Appley's; after which the procession will promiscuously visit all the up-town watering places.Being to full for utterance we will refrain from further dwelling on the line of march.
After supper—Evening Salute:"Hic! 'rah for Cent—hic!"
As the evening star lights up the firmament, a grand display of
FIREWORKS!
Will take place, consisting of tallow candles and tin lanterns, as the oldest inhabitant retires for the night, and George McK puts on the shutters.P. S.—The subscription committee wish to state that they have raised more than they can lift. Delinquent subscribers are requested to pay up.Lansingburgh Courier. June 30, 1876: 3 col 4.—The Whig says: The history of the centennial celebration in Lansingburgh will be interesting reading for future generations."Village Notes." Lansingburgh Courier. July 7, 1876: 3 col 1.
Fourth of July Notes.
—Lansingburgh is ashamed.—Troy Philibusters did not amount to shucks.—Two fire crackers and a torpedo was fired off on Tuesday.—Every place in town was closed except George's and the Phoenix. [...]—The midnight procession in Troy, and the procession at 12, midday, was very successful. But those Philibusters! [...]—The reason why the Mutual Aid Association of Brunswick did not parade is because they could not obtain any pump handles. At least P. V. G. tells us so.—Great credit is due the horse railroad company and its employees for their efforts to accommodate the great rush of people going to and from Troy all day.—Every one went to Troy, in the morning excepting 1 1-2 policemen. They tarried to watch for the burglars that had promised to break into Mr. P's house.—This year should be one continual Fourth of July. The boys should not be blamed if they persist in firing firecrackers and banging off cannons all this year.—The Reader of the day beat an ignominious retreat to New York, after soliciting the honor. The $2.05 he was to receive for his services was just the amount that the committee fell short of, so'ts all right. [...]—Our people looked in vain on Tuesday for the parade of the Troy military in the 'burgh, as advertised in the Times a few days since. Had the Times man followed copy, he would have made no such blunder. The Whig distinctly informed him that no such parade was to take place.—Whig.The malicious representation of a village trustee cause the Times man to make the blunder.Lansingburgh Courier. July 7, 1876: 3 col 2.
The Bells That Rung.
At midnight, as the nation was preparing to announce herself one hundred years' old, the bells of our village rang out the glad rejoicing of its inhabitants, bonfires blazed, cannons roared and the oldest inhabitant would fain get out of bed to find out what the matter was. We are glad that the bells were run; it showed that the patriotism of the village was not quit dead. Many of our citizens went so far as to illuminate their residences with chinese lanterns and decorated with our national colors. We would like to mention several private house that were deserving of notice, but space will not permit.Lansingburgh Courier. July 7, 1876: 3 col 2.
MEMORIES OF FILIBUSTER.—
Recalled By Recent Armistice Day Parade—Handbill Has Some Interesting Reading—Plenty of Humor.Events of the almost forgotten past were recalled by some of the older residents of Troy who witnessed the filibuster parade that featured the evening program of the Armistice Day celebration last week. It awakened memories of like demonstrations that marked the observance of the Fourth of July in the fifties, sixties and early seventies, when Independence Day was the occasion for the display of all the patriotic fervor that it was possible to crowd into the limited space of twenty-four hours. It was an event looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation by old and young alike and only the babe in arms, the bedridden and the aged infirm failed to take some part in the “doings” of the “Glorious Fourth.”
Parades the Order of the Day.
A Fourth of July celebration without a parade was unthinkable and if anyone had dared to make such a suggestion he would have been thrown in jail, tried for high treason and suffered an ignominious death at a public execution on Seminary Hill. In those days the spirit of 1776 was still very much in evidence and the patriotic fires kindled at Lexington burned fiercely in the breasts of Trojans who found some vent absolutely necessary, hence the parades and demonstrations.After the filibuster parade last week a Trojan brought to The Troy Times office an old handbill, twelve by nine inches, yellow with age and frayed at the edges and which purports to announce a coming Fourth of July celebration. There is no date and nothing to indicate the year in which the bill was printed [1857], but, from the best information obtainable, it was a product of the fifties, if not of an earlier period.
Rare Bit of Humor.
As a patriotic document this handbill is a failure, but as a rare bit of humor it would do credit to Mark Twain or Bill Nye, but both of these great American humorists can prove alibis, as it was written long before they had a close enough relationship with the alphabet to form words of one syllable. It is also evident from this relic of the long ago that not everyone took the Fourth of July as seriously as did the great majority of Trojans, but made it an occasion to have some fun with certain individuals and the “City Fathers,” who composed the Common Council at that time.With a view to obtaining any information as to the date, authorship and any other data in connection with it and believing it will prove of interest to Trojans generally, The Troy Times herewith reproduces in full the text of the handbill as it appears on one side of the paper. On the other side there is an account of the alleged “doings” of the “B’hoys” on that day. This is headed, “The Glorious Fourth, Second Edition,” and while it contains some dry and barbed humor, it is not so interesting as the other. it is possible that there may be Trojans still living who can throw some light on this ancient handbill that the fleeting years have shrouded in mystery. Here it is:
FOURTH OF JULY.
At a large and interesting assemblage of the B’HOYS of the City of Troy, convened at the Chequered Barn on Congress street, for the purpose of making arrangements for the Celebration of the approaching Fourth of July, Christian Lewis was called to the STALL and Dan Shaw appointed Scribe.The object of the meeting was briefly, though touchingly and eloquently stated by Weed Brown, Esq. Mr.Brown deprecated the want of SPIRIT which exhibited itself among the citizens of Troy, and ascribed the misfortune to the “No License” decision of the people of our community. The speaker concluded his efforts by moving the appointment of Nine of the B’hoys as a Committee of Arrangements to make the necessary preparations for ensuring a vigorous celebration of the Glorious Fourth!The Stall appointed Weed Brown as Chairman of said Committee.During the deliberations of the Committee the meeting was addressed by Dan Shaw, Lawrence Miller and Pop Corn.Mr. Brown reported to the B’hoys the followingArrangements for the Celebration.The day will rush in by the ringing of the Town Crier’s Bells, and a National Salute of three guns and a pistol shot.At 10 o’clock the procession will form in the Alley between River and Second Streets, at its intersection with Albany. (Mr. Brown here stated to the meeting that the Common Council had resolved to close up all the streets of the city on the Fourth, and it was with much difficulty that he could obtain permission even to use an Alley.)The Procession will form in the following order:
First Division.
1. Military Escort—First Ward Militia, preceded by a fine band of Ethiopian Minstrels from Liberia.2. Soldiers of the Hellderberg [sic] Revolution, in Carriages.3. Anti Rent Indians from Sand Lake.4. Committee of Arrangements.5. City Pound Master and pigs under his charge.6. Orator and Reader on Donkeys.7. City Dog Slayer and Muzzled Dogs.8. Volunteers for Texas and Mexico.9. A Wash Tub of “Soup” to be dealt out to the military in “hasty plates” on wheels.10. The B’hoys, Jail Birds and Soap Locks.11. Millerites in Robes—some of them going up.
Second Division.
1. Fourth Ward Fusileers, preceded by a Hand Organ, a Bag Pipe and Bone Castinettes.2. City Scavingers—mounted.3. Clam Pedlars in Wagons and Carts.4. Swill Carriers, Rag Pickers, Frog Catchers.5. Coal Pedlars, crying “Charcoal—all hard.”6. Canal Drivers from abroad.7. Twenty-eight of the G’hals representing the United States—with Sun Shades and Bustles.8. Runners for Canal and Steam-boats.9. Loaders, Idlers and Town Vagrants.10 State Prison Birds, hand-cuffed.(Mr. Brown here stated that the Committee on Streets and Alleys had generously consented to allow the Procession the use of Ferry and Albany streets.)The Procession will then SKULK down the Alley to Ferry street, up Ferry to the Alley between Fourth and Fifth, up the Alley to Albany, up Albany to the Alley between Sixth and Seventh, up the Alley to the Hay Shed on Elbow street. The following will be the Order of Exercises under the Shed:1. Singing by the B’hoys.2. Solo on the Bag Pipe.3. Reading the Declaration, by Bill Swears.4. Oration, by Boss Tilton.5. Duett on the Hand Organ and Castinettes.At the conclusion of these exercises there will be a “hen trot” at the other end of the Alley and the Procession is respectfully invited to witness the race, after which the B’hoys will slope.In the evening there will be a grant display of Fireworks at the head of Albany Street.
Display of Fireworks.
1. Rockets and Dipt Candles.2. The City of Mexico (copper plate) will be burned to cinders.3. Explosion of four torpedoes.4. A Basket of Pine Shavings ignited.5. Two Tar-Balls will be lighted.6. Snakes, Spiders, Eels, Lightning Bugs, Devil’s Darning Needles, Wasps, Fleas, Mosquitoes, Cockroaches and House-Flies will be set on fire and thrown into the air.The whole to conclude with the end of the Programme.Dan Shaw, Scribe.CHRISTIAN LEWIS, Stallman.
And Still More Humor.
The other side of the handbill contains what is purported to be an account of the “doings” as outlined above and in addition to the names in the program, that of Harve Gallops is mentioned. Harve responds to a toast, “The Hen Trot,” and in which he says: “A FEAT not to be made GAME of, except by those who would discourage FOUL PLAY.”That the Common Council was not immune from criticism even in those primitive days is evidenced by the following barbed shaft that was shot at it in this “second edition:”“The Common Council of our City—wise but poor. (The applause which succeeded created such an uproar that the President was unable to restore order and the vast assemblage dispersed in admirable confusion.)”
Little Information Available.
Whether this parade really materialized or if the perpetrators of this medley of satire and humor ever had any serious intention of staging a demonstration, The Troy Times has been unable to ascertain. Several of the oldest residents of Troy to whom a reporter submitted the handbill had no recollection of ever having seen it before. They said a filibuster parade in the afternoon and a military demonstration in the evening were the rule rather than an exception on Fourth of July fifty or more years ago. None of them could recall any of the men mentioned in the handbill, with the one exception of Dan Shaw, who was a well-known eccentric and irresponsible individual who spent most of his time around the railroad station. He and an old pushcart were inseparable. Dan picked up old newspapers, which he carted around for apparently no reason at all. Frequently he sold papers on the streets and at the station. He lived with an older sister, Ann, in Washington Street, between Fourth and Hill. They both died more than twenty-five years ago at an advanced age.
When Broadway Was Albany Street.
John Kelly Station Master at the Troy Union Railway Station, who has been a resident of this city for more than fifty years and who has a remarkable memory for dates and events, says he cannot remember any of the men mentioned in the handbill, with the exception of Dan Shaw, with whom he was well acquainted. Albany Street, he said, was the thoroughfare now known as Broadway, and the name was changed either just before or after 1860. When the erection of the station that was replaced about twenty years ago by the present structure was commenced what is now Broadway was still known as Albany Street. Elbow Street was latter changed to Fulton Street.
Age and Origin in Doubt.
From these facts it would appear that this handbill was printed not less than a half century ago and, probably, many years previous. At any rate it furnishes a delightful mystery and sharpens the appetite of the individual who has a penchant for delving into the past.Was it only a travesty or did it really chronicle plans for and give the subsequent details somewhat distorted and exaggerated of a bona fide Fourth of July celebration? Was it written merely to amuse or did its humor veil some ulterior motive?Is there any Trojan still in the land of the living who can answer these questions?Troy Times. November 21, 1921: 7 cols 3-5.
NOTES.
—Bang!—Whiz, pop!—Fourth of July!—Philibusteries!—To-day the ‘burgh will celebrate.—The residents of the suburbs of Lansingburgh, Troy, West Troy, Green Island, Cohoes, Waterford and neighboring towns are coming to the “glorious!” They will be met at the outlets and inlets by brass bands, tin bands, toy pistols, Jumbo fire crackers, and other evidence of welcome, and right-royally entertained.—The ‘Buster parade to-day will be a reminder to many of the older readers of the COURIER of the merry Fourth of July celebrations that have been held in the ‘burgh under their auspices, when the entire day was made joyous and lively by the procession of burlesquers, and the novel sports that followed. It is well that there are young men in the community with sufficient push to revive the commemoration of the day, as once observed in the “garden,” by a general and spontaneous effort to honor the grand old holiday. Give the ‘Busters encouragement, and you will not be busted:—The following is the line of march to-day: Form on Market [115th] street, right resting on State [Second Avenue], up State to Mercer [124th], to Congress [Third Ave.], to South, to John [Fourth Ave.], to Canal, to Whipple [Fifth] avenue, to Market, to State, to Cemetery avenue [101st St], to Whipple avenue, to George [106th], to State, to Casino to skate room, to skate, to fall.Lansingburgh Courier. July 4, 1885: 3 col 4.NOTES ABOUT TOWN.Don't forget the philibusters' parade in the 'burgh Monday.Lansingburgh Courier. July 3, 1886: 3 col 2.—The Committee of Arrangements of the Lansingburgh Phillibuster Association have decided to present "Jim Slings" riding academy on the occasion of their Fourth of July celebration.Lansingburgh Courier. June 2, 1888: 3 col 3.—The Philibusters will hold an important business meeting at Firemen's Hall to-night.—The glorious Fourth and the Philibusters next Wednesday."Notes About Town." Lansingburgh Courier. June 30, 1888: 3 col 2.—The Oolah club made a fine showing in the filibuster parade in Troy Wednesday afternoon. The boys secured an ancient coach that was in the last stages of decay, and hitching four of the best (un)matched equines that they could procure before it, they made a great deal of fun. O. E. Bosca, dressed as "Solon Shingle," handled the ribbons over the thoroughbreds. Members of the club in various striking costumes were seated on the coach.Lansingburgh Courier. July 5, 1894: 3 col 3.Image of front cover of "The Obituary," a program for Lansingburgh's final Fourth of July parade.
"Poestenkill Has Annual Field Day Event on Fourth; Old Home Day Celebrated With Filibuster Parade; Area Residents Converge on Village." Times Record. July 5, 1939: 11 col 3.Roman, Jackie. "This year’s Ancients and Horribles Parade could be the last." Valley Breeze. June 28, 2017. http://www.valleybreeze.com/2017-06-28/observer-smithfield-west/year-s-ancients-and-horribles-parade-could-be-lastRapalyea, Taylor. "The Horribles Parade: A Brief History Of U.S. Satire; The tradition of rebellion through mockery and humor has been carried from the 1800s to today." Beverly Patch. June 30, 2017. https://patch.com/massachusetts/beverly/horribles-parade-brief-history-patriotic-satireDewey, Eliza. "Beverly Farms 'Horribles' Parade Taunts Both Trump, Mayor Who Declined to March." New England Cable News. July 4, 2018. https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Horribles-Parade-487352171.html
Additional examples of broadsides• Third annual parade of antique horribles, and jim jam convulsionist. ... : Per order Gen, Dennis O. Seldomfed.[Stoneham, Mass.] : E.T. Whittier, printer, Stoneham., [between 1850 and 1859?]• Celebration: 1776-1862 : Celebreation of the 86th Anniversary of Our National Independence ... Newton Rifle & Whetstone Volunteers ... on Friday, July Fourth, 1862!Boston: J.H. & F.F. Farwell, U.S. Mammoth Steam Job Printers, no. 112 Washington Street, 1862. Print.• Fourth of July '74!: Woodstock, Vermont. Parade of the Horribles at 10 O'clock A.m., Particularly Pompous Esq., Leader, Garrulous Goosequill, Scribe. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1874. Print.• July fourth eighteen hundred and seventy-eight or any other man. 1878 E pluribus unum. 1878. : The morning of great and glorious fourth will be ushered in by the formation for parade of the Studlefunk Brigade. ... By command of Brig. Gen. Studlefunk. P.S. lemonade along the route will be very acceptable. Adjt. Gen'l Regulationsmoothebore. [Worcester, Mass.] : Chas. Hamilton, printer, 311 Main Street, Central Exchange, Worcester., [1878]• Grand Celebration!: Orations, Basket Pic-Nic, Parade of Bradford Guards ... Antiques & Horribles. S.l: s.n.], 1880.• Kellegg, F B. Grand Celebration: Putney, Vt. July 4, 1893. 8 O'clock Parade of Antiques & Horribles, 9-15 [o'clock] Burlesque Speeches ... Address - Rev. F.b. Kellogg. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1893. Print.• Pierce, L R. Fourth of July at Townshend, Vt: Grand Celebration! ... Grafton Cornet Band ... Hon. L.R. Pierce ... Address ... Pageant of Antiques and Horribles ... Weber Male Quartette of Boston ... Baseball Game. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1910. Print.